Abstract
Introduction : Tocilizumab is one of the main repurposed therapies investigated for COVID-19 pneumonia since the start of the pandemic, but there has been conflicting evidence for its use. Areas covered : This review covers the physiology of interleukin-6 and its role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. We discuss the use of tocilizumab in other diseases and the rationale for its use in COVID-19. We summarize the design, contrasting results, and implications of the clinical trials of tocilizumab in COVID-19 to date and discuss the current guidance for its use. Expert opinion : The evidence to date suggests benefit with the use of tocilizumab in some but not all patients with COVID-19. Benefit seems to be greatest when given early after clinical deterioration with the presence of systemic inflammation. However, questions remain around the optimal timing, patient selection, and concomitant treatments.
Keywords: COVID-19; Tocilizumab; cytokine release syndrome; immunomodulatory therapy; interleukin-6.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Tocilizumab, interleukin-6, Cytokine release syndrome, immunomodulatory therapy, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19 pneumonia, clinical trial, pandemic, Tocilizumab, Pneumonia, interleukin-6, clinical trials, cytokine, Cytokine release syndrome, interleukin, pathophysiology, Physiology, immunomodulatory, systemic inflammation, Guidance, immunomodulatory therapy, Evidence, Clinical deterioration, in some, other diseases, rationale, cytokine release, concomitant treatments, patient selection, implication, expert, benefit, investigated, question, Area, other disease, patients with COVID-19, repurposed therapy, 【제목키워드】 Treatment, Tocilizumab, clinical evidence,